Political Language and Persuasive Communication

Abstract

There is now a widespread international interest in the analysis of political language and rhetoric (e.g., Beer & De Landtsheer, 2004; Billig, 2003; Bull, 2003; De Landtsheer & Feldman, 2000; Feldman & De Landtsheer, 1998). Research topics have included political metaphors (e.g., Beer & De Landtsheer, 2004; Wilson, 1990; Lakoff & Johnson, 1980), rhetoric (e.g., Billig, 2003; Atkinson, 1984a), issues of stake and interest (e.g., Dickerson, 1997), equivocation (e.g., Bavelas et al., 1990), and the use of pronouns (e.g., Wilson, 1990; Bull & Fetzer, 2006). The aim of this chapter is to review three particular aspects of political language: equivocation, rhetorical devices used by politicians to invite applause, and the use of metaphor. Their significance is also considered in the context of traditional research on persuasive communication.